bagtoracer68
Aug 11 2008, 03:29 AM
I recently rebuilt my 87 Formula with the TPI LB9-T5 combo; bored, Crane cam and matching springs, adjustable fuel pressure regulator, raised compression, headers, mild porting, larger intakes, double roller timing chain etc...and it really runs good. It's driven daily in good weather without issue, but I'm sure I could get more out of it than the factory tuning is giving me. I have a laptop with the ALDL connector cable, and I've used it, (with TTS power systems software), to monitor sensors and numbers before and after the rebuild for comparison's sake, but I'm pretty new to the whole tuning idea. I'm fairly computer literate, (CNC machinist by trade), but I don't want to risk ruining all the money I've put into this motor, as I've read that it's pretty easy to seriously screw things up. From the little research I've done so far, it sounds like the ECM can be reprogrammed just using my laptop through the ALDL cable link-up. Is this true? If so, what kind of software is available and easy to use? Hopefully not as expensive as paying for someone else to burn one for me either. I've read all kinds of different stories and methods, and honestly don't know exactly where the ECM itself is located at (somewhere near the passenger side firewall as far as my Hanes manual is concerned), if I had to remove it or swap it. This is my first build of anything that didn't have a carburetor on it, so I was very careful to put things back just the way I took them apart, with surprisingly good results I must say, so I'm kinda' lost without changing jets and turning my distributor with the light! LOL Anyone who has any good suggestions and or resources on this subject, I would greatly appreciate them. Thanks.